Guyana president blasts journalist when discussing country’s oil reserves

TRT World

TRT World

2 min, 16 sec

A head of state challenges the developed world's stance on climate change, emphasizing his country's environmental contributions and questioning the developed world's commitment to biodiversity.

Summary

  • The conversation begins with a mention of the $150 billion worth of oil and gas to be extracted, leading to over 2 billion tons of carbon emissions.
  • The head of state interrupts to highlight Guyana's preservation of a vast forest that stores 19.5 gigatons of carbon.
  • He points out Guyana's low deforestation rate and claims that even with oil and gas exploration, Guyana will remain net zero in carbon emissions.
  • The discussion becomes a critique of the developed world's hypocrisy in environmental damage and biodiversity loss over the past 50 years.

Chapter 1

Projected Carbon Emissions from Oil and Gas Extraction

0:00 - 29 sec

The discussion opens with the environmental impact of planned oil and gas extraction off the coast.

The discussion opens with the environmental impact of planned oil and gas extraction off the coast.

  • It is expected that $150 billion worth of oil and gas will be extracted off the coast.
  • This extraction is projected to result in more than 2 billion tons of carbon emissions.

Chapter 2

Guyana's Environmental Contributions and Climate Change Stance

0:41 - 1 min, 2 sec

The head of state emphasizes Guyana's environmental efforts and criticizes the developed world's approach to climate change.

The head of state emphasizes Guyana's environmental efforts and criticizes the developed world's approach to climate change.

  • Guyana has preserved a forest the size of England and Scotland combined, storing 19.5 gigatons of carbon.
  • Despite Guyana's environmental contributions, the head of state questions the developed world's right to lecture Guyana on climate change.
  • He asserts that Guyana has the world's lowest deforestation rate and will maintain a net zero carbon footprint despite oil and gas exploration.

Chapter 3

Confronting Hypocrisy in Climate Change Discourse

1:46 - 29 sec

The head of state accuses the developed world of hypocrisy in addressing climate change and environmental destruction.

The head of state accuses the developed world of hypocrisy in addressing climate change and environmental destruction.

  • He points out the global loss of 65% of biodiversity in the last 50 years while Guyana has preserved its biodiversity.
  • The head of state challenges the developed world to value and pay for biodiversity preservation.
  • He suggests that those lecturing on climate change may be influenced by the same entities responsible for environmental damage during the Industrial Revolution.

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